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Tuesday, March 23, 2010

back to eden

I promise you, I am the last person to believe anything that's reported on 60 Minutes, but their Sunday night story called "Poisoned" was enough to remind me that when I buy non-organic produce I am undeniably consuming an unknown plethora of chemicals. Whether or not these chemicals (pesticides, fungicides, waxes etc.) are harmful to us is a hot debate and only you can be the judge of what you're comfortable with. I always try to buy organic when I can, Safeway has a mediocre organic range of produce that I buy on a regular basis, and I always insist on buying organic dairy. But, when it comes to basic produce I have recently slipped off the organic bandwagon. Mostly because it just seemed inaccessible. I don't have a car during the week so there is no local organic market available to me. Just last week I was eating a crispy sweet Jonathan apple when I noticed this white waxy residue all over the skin despite the fact that I'd washed it. I hurried over to wash it again but the wax just would not come off. Cringe! I don't care how "harmless" they claim these waxy substances are, they are simply not what I want to be putting into my body. I mean, if I got rid of my microwave because it gave me the creeps, surely organic produce should be on my priority list. So, I did a little research and found a wonderful organic delivery company that delivers throughout Melbourne.

My first weekly "mixed box" arrived today filled with seasonal and organic produce to use for the week. I especially love this concept because I can look online and find out in advance which fruits and vegetables will be delivered to me for the week and plan my seasonal meals around those foods. I am actually pretty sure that this weekly delivery is actually delivering more savings as even though it's organic, it is all seasonal, and relatively cheaper than the unseasonal varieties of fruit and veg I would buy unknowingly at the super market.

So what foods do we consume in our house that aren't organic? I can list them on one hand-

vegemite

baking powders/sodas

herbs, spices, salts, seasonings, oils and vinegars

specialty foods like coconut milk, dessicated coconut

some grains I buy in bulk like rice, couscous and barley

I'll never be able to completely eradicate all of the chemicals from my menu, unless I become a permanent vegan raw foodie, but I feel really good about this little change I've made for our growing family.

Organic delivery is a popular and global phenomena, I used to have boxes delivered to my place in Toronto, Canada and to my place in Sydney. Google it and give it a go for week- you have nothing to lose and so much to gain!

xo

Posted by
Meagan W

11 comments:

It's terrible how many chemicals are sprayed on our foods, I always make the effort to wash things before we eat them but I would rather like you to eat mostly organic. Coles has some produce but not a lot, you sound like you found a great way to get your organic produce I probably should try a bit harder too sometimes it's easier but in the long run it will be worth it to eat organic, it feels healthier.xo

~making healthy choices for our family is not always easy...let alone trying to stay as far away from chemicals as possible...they seem to be everywhere...frustrating! i think little by little doing the best we can with what we can do...and you seem to be doing very well at coming up with resolutions for your family...may you continue to seek out the knowledge and come up with solutions to raising healthy little ones...its tough sometimes...brightest blessings~

I have slowly been working towards less chemicals in our life. It can be very tough especially when the Army puts us in the middle of nowhere like our last post. But now that we are in California and spring has sprung I am really anxiosu to drive a little ways each week to shop at farmers markets. Just need to get into a dang house first.

Honest to Goodness are good for baking stuffhttp://www.goodness.com.au/store/Flours-%26-Meals/c19/index.html?page=3

But so is Garden Organics and its based in Melbourne.http://www.gardenorganics.com.au/Products.php?Cat=5

Another tip is to google the dirty dozen for organic. It tells you the things most covered in pesticides (and apples are one of them).

I base my shopping off this and then changed as much as I can. By making so much from scratch I find that even buying all the specialty things (and I have to buy 3 different milks etc due to Little B's allergies) that I come in at about $80 a week buying 80% of our food organic.

I am so excited that our local farmers market has just started up again! We are very fortunate here that we have great public transit and a lot of places close by to shop organic and local. We also have several CSA delivery options and I have friends who subscribe and love it. I am glad that you found a way to bring more seasonal and organic produce into your home. And doesn't it just taste so good? :)

Oh wow, that site looks good! I think I may have to give it a try. I drive quite a distance to get good, cheap organic produce. This website appeals to me since I don't have to put the kids in the car, then the pram, then the car, when they could be at home being active instead of strapped in all the time :).And it is the first one I have seen that actually looks affordable.Thanks!

Thanks for the info Meagan. I've been continuing to use Aussie Farmers Direct as there was no organic delivery in my area and we have no car (some organic produce available at the local F&V shop a block away though). But looks like now there IS organic delivery, yay!

Yay! Good for you Meagan. Even living on an organic farm and growing organic fruit, veg and eggs for a living , there are still certain non organic things like vegimite we cannot live without. As well as organic, I think its really important to try to eat as seasonal as possible too. That basket looks wonderful. Enjoy. X